Share the Season is an annual campaign that offers one-time aid to people affected by unforeseen hardships. The people are not identified to protect their privacy.

For eight years, the woman was battered in a controlling relationship.

He controlled all the money she earned, telling her he’d pay the bills, she said. He didn’t.

In her application to Share the Season, the 35-year-old woman wrote, “I found the courage to (get) rid of him and it’s just been a little bit harder than I anticipated ... I am struggling to the best of my ability trying to gain confidence in myself.”

Her family lives out of state.

She has a full-time job now. People have told her they can see she is happier and smiling more.

But, her past haunts her.

“I have bills that hadn’t been paid in four months,” she said. “My gas bill had accumulated to over $200. My electricity and gas were moments from being shut off.”

She walks to her job or takes the bus.

“I am so thankful and appreciative for everything, I just want to give back. I want to do what I can do to help out.”

Send contributions to Share the Season at the Wichita Community Foundation, 301 N. Main, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67202.